SEA nations to establish health emergency fund, says WHO
Eleven member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region have agreed to set up a dedicated fund for health emergencies in the region, which is considered one of the most disaster-prone areas, as a critical step towards enhancing preparedness.
The South-East Asia Region – made up of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste – is currently being threatened by various emerging diseases, such as pandemic influenza, Zika virus, SARS and MERS-CoV, as well as earthquakes, floods and cyclones in the recent years.
The establishment of a joint funding stream under the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) was seen as a key priority by the member countries as it will help countries better prepare for such events. SEARHEF funds are only disbursed once a disaster has occurred.
“To date, post-disaster funding through South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund has done an excellent job of helping countries respond to health emergencies once they’ve occurred, as we saw most recently in Nepal and Sri Lanka,” said Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia.
“The new funding stream will allow countries to invest in infrastructure and human resources that will enhance preparedness,” Dr. Singh added.
Another resolution that was passed in the WHO meeting recently held in Colombo, Sri Lanka calls for the promotion of physical activity in the region.
Four-fifths of adolescents are not getting enough physical activity and this insufficiency is seen as a major contributor to the region’s increasing rates of non-communicable diseases.
“Effective promotion of physical activity needs commitment at the highest level, with leadership from the health sector absolutely crucial,” Dr. Singh said.
The session also passed a resolution on strengthening the health workforce. At present, the density of health care providers in the Region is 12.5 per 10,000 population, which is less than the WHO recommended minimum of 44.5 per 10,000 population.
Increasing the number of health workers and staff retention as well as providing health workers with further training and enhancing their skills are vital to to achieving universal health coverage, which is a key part of the Sustainable Development Goal of leaving no one behind.
